Newcastle rallies over WorkCover changes

A Newcastle nurse says the State Government's proposed changes to WorkCover could see sick or injured workers return to work prematurely.

Public sector workers across the state are walking off the job today, coinciding with the Government's WorkCover report being tabled in Parliament.

Nurses will walk off the job at Hunter region hospitals from midday to attend a rally at Newcastle's Civic Park, manufacturing workers are holding their own rally at Newcastle's Number 1 Sportsground this morning before heading to Civic Park.

They are concerned the WorkCover inquiry was too hasty and workers' compensation benefits will be severely cut.

A local nurse, who wants to remain anonymous, says the cuts will put pressure on people to return to work before they are ready.

"I could theoretically see that happening," she said.

"People would come to work while they're injured, and they would then put their colleagues at risk of injury, because obviously they're at risk, they can't do the job to the full potential."

She says the changes will put public sector workers under further financial strain.

"It's a very stressful situation when you are on workers' comp or you've injured yourself at work," she said.

"You need to preserve all your strengths and energy on just making sure that you can get well, and not be worried about where the next dollar is coming from, or how long can I stay off work."

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